Question: Respond with 150 words and 1 direct question.

In order to have a positive environment in the workplace that everyone enjoys, forgiveness is a behavior that has to be demonstrated. The reason for this is because when people interact with each other on a daily basis, the opportunity to offend someone is limitless, and it does not matter whether the offense that occurs is the intentional or not (Aquino, Grover, Goldman & Folger, 2003). Furthermore, many people will tell you that forgiveness is more for the person that has been offended rather than for the person being forgiven. Many attribute this to releasing the burden of the negative energy from resentment, which typically would translate into being a happier person. According to a 2005 study, research now confirms that people that forgive their offenders are happier than those that hold onto resentment (Maltby, Day & Barber, 2005).

Considering some of my own personal experiences, I have been on both sides of the equation. Considering times when I have forgiven someone, I have went through the emotions of being hurt and having some resentment. But I have found that once I am able to get to the point of forgiving someone of their offense, I am much more relieved and happier. In fact, in some cases I wish that I would have reached that stage much sooner, because not only am I happier, but so is the offender and typically we move on from the situation and are able to work together quite well.

On the other side of the equation, as an offender, I obviously have felt bad about offending another person, but once I get past that stage I have asked for forgiveness. What I have found is that the other person enjoys seeing me being humbled and showing some humility by admitting my mistake. I feel that by allowing that person to see that has made it easier for them to forgive me and move on from the situation just as Struthers, Dupuis & Eaton (2005) suggests is typically the case. As a result, they are visibly happier, much like the study mentioned earlier suggests they should feel.

So taking all of that into consideration, it is important to be able to forgive people in the workplace if people are going to work in an effective and efficient manner. If everyone is holding onto resentment, they will not be happy to be there, many relationships will be in poor condition, which will result in low morale. In fact forgiveness is paramount in the workplace because it is possible that that is an action that may have to take place on a daily basis among co-workers.

References:

Aquino, K., Grover, S., Goldman, B., & Folger, R. (2003). When push doesn''t come to shove: Interpersonal forgiveness in workplace relationships. Journal of Management Inquiry, 12(3), 209-216. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203315468?accountid=8289

Maltby, J., Day, L., & Barber, L. (2005). Forgiveness and happiness. the differing contexts of forgiveness using the distinction between hedonic and eudaimonic happiness. Journal of Happiness Studies, 6(1), 1-13. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10902-004-0924-9

Struthers, W., Dupuis, R., & Eaton, J. (2005). Promoting forgiveness among co-workers following a workplace transgression: The effects of social motivation training. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science, 37(4), 299-308. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/220521789?accountid=8289